Goodbye in French: Understanding the Art of Polite Farewells

Quick Reference Table: Common Ways to Say Goodbye in French

French Expression	English Equivalent	When to Use It
Au revoir	Goodbye / See you again	Universal, formal and informal
À bientôt / À tantôt	See you soon	When you expect to meet again
À tout à l’heure	See you later today	Same-day encounters
Bonne journée / Bonne soirée	Have a good day / Have a good evening	Daytime or evening, polite/service contexts
Salut / Bye / Ciao / Tchao	Bye	Informal, friends and peers; foreign variants often used in casual French
À plus	See you later	Very casual, familiar relationships
Bonne continuation	All the best	End of a project or brief interaction
Au plaisir de vous revoir	Looking forward to seeing you again	Professional or formal situations
Bisous / Bises	Kisses / Hugs	Very informal, close friends or family
À la prochaine	See you next time	Common and casual

Ways to Say Goodbye in French

Au revoir

— “Au revoir” is the most standard and widely accepted way to say goodbye in French. Literally meaning “until we see each other again,” it implies continuity rather than finality. It is appropriate for virtually all situations, from formal meetings to casual daily interactions.

À bientôt / À tantôt

— These expressions both mean “see you soon.” “À bientôt” is widely used, while “à tantôt” is more regional. They convey friendliness and openness and are suitable for both social and professional contexts.

À tout à l’heure

— Meaning “see you later today,” this phrase is used when you are certain you will meet the person again within the same day. It is common in workplaces, schools, and daily routines.

Bonne journée / Bonne soirée

— These phrases mean “have a good day” and “have a good evening.” They are extremely common in shops, offices, and service interactions. The choice depends on the time of day and the level of formality.

Salut / Bye / Ciao / Tchao

— Informal and friendly expressions, used among friends or peers. “Bye,” “Ciao,” and “Tchao” are foreign variants that have been adopted into casual French speech. Should be avoided in formal or professional settings.

À plus

— Short for “à plus tard,” this expression is very casual. It is suitable for friends, classmates, or close colleagues.

Bonne continuation

— Meaning “all the best moving forward,” this phrase is used when parting ways after a brief interaction or project.

Au plaisir de vous revoir

— “Looking forward to seeing you again” is polite and warm. Common in professional conversations or formal emails.

Bisous / Bises

— Used with close friends or family, these expressions literally mean “kisses” or “hugs.” They are very informal and signify warmth and affection.

À la prochaine

— Common and casual, similar to “see you next time.”

Moments When to Use Each Goodbye Expression in French

When Leaving an Event or Gathering

Use au revoir, bonne journée / bonne soirée, or au plaisir de vous revoir depending on the level of formality and the time of day. These phrases signal polite departure and leave a positive impression.

When Closing a Conversation (Email or Phone)

Expressions like au revoir, bonne continuation, à bientôt, or à la prochaine work well for professional emails or calls. They convey professionalism and politeness while maintaining warmth.

With Friends or Informal Settings

Use salut / bye / ciao / tchao, à plus, à bientôt / à tantôt, or bisous / bises with close friends, classmates, or peers. These expressions reflect friendliness and familiarity and are appropriate for casual daily interactions.

View of Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera

Additional Context and False Friends

Salut can be used both as “hello” and “goodbye,” making it versatile in informal contexts.
Bisous / Bises literally come from the action “faire un bisou” (to give a kiss) and can also be used in messages as a sign of affection or warmth, not strictly a farewell.
Certain phrases like à bientôt or à la prochaine can have a playful or informal tone in casual conversation.

Cultural Notes

Gestures and Physical Farewells

La bise: Cheek kisses are common among friends and family. The number of kisses varies by region (one to four). Even saying au revoir may imply a bise in social settings.
Handshake: Standard in professional or formal situations. Usually brief and firm.
Nod or head tilt: Often used as a subtle, polite “hello” or “goodbye,” especially when passing someone briefly.
Do nothing: In casual encounters, a simple verbal farewell or a smile is sufficient.

Tone and Social Context

Overly casual expressions like à plus or bisous may feel inappropriate in formal settings.
Foreign expressions like “Bye” or “Ciao” are popular among youth but can feel too casual in professional interactions.

Regional Variations

À tantôt is more common in parts of Belgium and Quebec.
Number of bises varies: Paris often does two, Lyon three, some southern regions up to four.

Playfulness and Familiarity

Some expressions (especially bisous, à bientôt, à la prochaine) convey warmth and closeness.
Using the wrong farewell in a professional context can subtly alter the impression you leave.

How to Respond to Goodbye in French

Responses vary depending on formality and context:

Au revoir → You can reply with Au revoir, À bientôt, À plus tard, or Bonne journée / Bonne soirée depending on the time of day and closeness.
Salut / Tchao / Bye → Respond with the same casual farewell. Among friends, you can also use À plus or À la prochaine.
Bisous / Bises → Often reciprocated with the same gesture or expression.

Tip: Tone and body language matter—waving, nodding, or smiling is common in informal contexts.

Students learning French in Villefranche-sur-Mer

Goodbye in French what to remember

Choosing the correct farewell in French is essential for proper communication and social etiquette. Using the right expression enhances social and professional interactions, and understanding subtle differences prevents misunderstandings. Practicing these expressions in real-life settings, especially through in-person courses like those offered by our client, helps learners internalize the nuances and use the language naturally.

Mastering polite farewells in French becomes easier with real-world practice, whether in a French summer school or through French immersion courses, where daily interactions help learners understand context, tone, and cultural nuance while leaving a positive impression.

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